Surgical headlock



Dec. 27, 1949 S. R. JONES SURGICAL HEAD LOCK Filed Aug. 9, i943 INVENTOR. SAMUEL R JON ES BY I V./'

r ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 27, 1949 UN IT ED aS TAT-ES E NT 1 SURGICAL HEADLOCK Samuel R. Jones, LosAngeles, Calif.

' Application August 9, 1943, SerialNo. 4973-901 14 Claims. 1 v

- My invention relates to a'device-for holding the head of a patientduring surgical operations and is especially suited-t the holding ofthe-"head during brain or-neuro-surgery such'as that pertaining toventridestudy; the ganglion,- etc.

-It--is'an--'objectof the-invention to-providea headholding means for use during surgery which will securely hold-or lock the head in..a desired positionand which is readily adjustable to 'differentsizes and shapes of heads,.but which is ofsuch construction that there is no possibility ofmovement-of the headengaging parts during use of the'device.

It is anobject or the invention to provide a device having rigidly supported adjustable parts for cushioned, but'positive-engagement with the frontal and occipital-areas and also. havingam adjustable member-forengagement with a side of the head. I r

A further object of the invention is t0 provide a head holdingdeviceof the character described especially-adapted-ior use with the patient seated in upright -ornearly upright position, and having rigid adjustable locking means by'which the devicemay be detachably but firm-ly secured tol the back rest of--an operating table orchair.

It is-also an object of the inventionfltoprovide a surgical head -ck =havin'g a support :withmeans for detaohably securing: it to a backrest, a frame slidably secured in the. support, this frame being-longitudinally adjustablaand carry.- ing thereon-adjustable partsfor engagement with the head.

Further objects and-advantages may be brough out in the' -following part/of thezspecification. 1:

-Referring t0 the drawi-ng -which is:foriill'us-; trative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a side view 'showin 'the. manner of use of my invention.

Fig. 2 isa front view thereof with the temporal rest removed.

Fig. -3 isaperspective-view of the bracket which forms a part of -the supportof the device.

Fig. 4 is-a perspective-view of the verticallyv slidable frame.

Fig.5 is an enlarged perspectiveiview ofithe temporal rest.

Fi 6- is a greatly enlarged view of theoccipital clamp with padding removed therefrom.

In Fig. 1, I. show-the patients head II! in up.- right positionand my head-lock in what may be termed substantially vertical position. It will; be understood that when the backrest :of the op,- erating table or :equivalentdevice to hold. the

patient/s, body-is-tilted backward,- the head lock will be likewise tilted. "The patients' back rests against suitable -=padding or cushion I -2 and his head-is -h'eld betweenv padded, curved 'headene gagement members I3 and M, respectively referred to as frontal clamp 13' and the occipital clamp 14.

'The head lock includes a support 15 comprising a brack'et lfi and 'a pair 0f adjustablearms ll provided with clampin 'screws' l 8- to engage the rear face'of the'back rest-H. shown in Fig-'3, the -bracket 'l 6* comprises: a pair 'of vertical tubes l9, which form 'vertical' guides, connected in spaced relation by a cross bar' 20, and-bars'Zl extending rearwardly from the upper ends of the tubes 19 in substantially "parallel"relation. The adj ustable arn'cs- I as shown -al'so in Fig. 1, have upper tubular: ends' 22': to slide'on the bars 2 I; and downwardly-projecting tubes 23, the lowerends of which carry the}-.clamping screws" l8. Thearms I! are provided w il'ih -clamping-screws 24 to 'engage i the bars- Z I; "whereby the arms l1 may be adjusted along-'th barsi I: as required.

The occipital clamp 14 1s carried by a vertically adjustable frame 25' which -includes a bracket- 26 and forwardly adjustable extensio'ns 21. The bracketlfi of the t-frame25' is made' as shown' in Fig: 4. It includes' amair of vertical tubes" 28 held in spaced relation as by across-barn, and forwardly extending tubesor guides-'30 which have clamping screwst lil 'at the forward ends thereof to engage the 's'hanks 32 of 'the' extensions -21. The tubes 28 are made so that'they will slide within the tubes; moi the support l5,'- an'd clamp-I ing screws 33 are provided at the' iuppe'r ends of the tubes [9 'for 'engagement with the vertical.

members 28 thereby making 1 it I possible to vertically adjust the frame 25 relativel'yto the-support i It. The cross-"bar '29 has intermediate its ends averticalgui'de slot 34 and athreaded o em ing 35- to receive the threadedshank ofa clamping 'screw ilfi -Fig. 6,-which clampaagainst' vertical movement,:the vertical bar 31 which forms apart of the s'upport 38- forthe -o'ccipitalclamp 14. At theupper end of the i bar- 31 1 there is a forwardly-extending:portion+39 having at its forward end'a hinge40 by which-the occipitaLclarnp I4 is supported .sothatit m'ay swing on a horizontalaxis. toenable itto be tilted, as shown Fig. i 1, into a position corresponding to the slope of theocciput which it engages. An adjusting screw 41 is positioned: so that-it will engage the portion '42 of the-occipital clamp below the hinge 40,--t0 tilt the membe'r f M in counterclockwise direction.

Atithe forward ends of the shanks 32- of' theextensions 21 there are short vertical tubes 42 forming vertical guides for the side bars 43 of a U- shaped support 44 which carries the frontal clamp l3 at its upper end so that the frontal clamp 13 may be adjusted along the cervical axis of the head, which is the axis of the head that extends also through the neck of the patient. The supporting member 44 is bent to the form shown from a length of metal tubing. The guides 42 carry clamping screws 45 for engaging the vertical bars 43 to hold the supporting member 44 so that the frontal clamp 13 will be firmly held in the position required for proper engagement with the frontal of the patient.

The head lock also includes a side rest 46 which is adjustable so that its pad 41 may be brought into engagement with a selected lateral area of the head. This side rest 46, as shown in Fig. 5, includes a vertical guide 48 comprising a tube and being adapted to receive a vertically adiustable bar 49 having its upper end 50 bent toward the head of the patient so as to carry hinge means by which it is connected to the pad 41.

At the lower endof the tubular guide 48 there is a yoke or saddle 53 which fits upon either the right or the left guide 30 in different positions therealong, and has a screw 54 positioned below the diametral plane of the member 30, for clamping it in a selected position for engagement to the side of the head opposite from that on which the operation is to be performed.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a head lock for supporting the human head during surgery thereon while the patient is supported on a chair or table having a back rest, the combination of: a support having means for attaching it to a back rest; an occipital clamp curved to fit the occipital region of the head; means for adjustably securing said clamp to said support so that it may be moved along the longitudinal axis of the head and neck of a patient; a curved frontal clampfor engagement, with the frontal area of the head; and means for adju-stably supporting said frontal clamp so that it. may be moved toward and away from said axis and up and down along said axis, said last named means comprising an extensible member extending from said support across the body of the patient from rear to front, said extensible member having means for looking a section thereof in different positions of extension and having at its forward end a supporting element, and a member adjustably securedto said supporting element and being connected to said frontal clamp whereby said frontal clamp may be moved up and down.

2. In a head lock for supporting the human head during surgery thereon while the patient is supported on a chair or table having a back rest, the combination of: a support having means for attaching it to a back rest; an occipital clamp curved to fit the occipital region of the head; means for adjustably securing said clamp to said support so that it may be moved along the 1011- gitudinal axis of the head and neck of a patient; a curved frontal clamp for engagement with the frontal area of the head; and means for adjustably supporting said frontal clamp so that it may be moved toward and away from said axis and up and down along said axis, said last named means comprising a pair. of extensible members extending from said support across and above the shoulders of the patient, said extensible members having, means for locking sections thereof in different positions of extension, and a member to support said frontal clamp comprising a transverse portion connected to said frontal clamp and side bars extending down from said transverse portion for engagement with the front ends of said extensible members, and means for adjustably connectin said side bars to said front ends of said extensible members.

3. In a head lock for supporting the human head during surgery thereon while the patient is supported on a chair or table having a back rest, the combination of: a support having means for attaching it to a back rest; an occipital clamp curved to fit the occipital region of the head; means for adjustably securing said clamp to said support so that it may be moved along the longitudinal axis of the head and neck of a patient; a curved frontal clamp for engagement with the frontal area of the head; and means for adjustably supporting said frontal clamp so that it may be moved toward and away from said axis and up and down along said axis, said last named means comprising an extensible member extending from said support across the body of the patient from rear to front, said extensible member havin means for locking a section thereof in different positions of extension, and means connecting said frontal clamp to the forward end of said extensible member, having a supporting part extending from the forward end of said extensible member across the face of the patient and having adjustment means so as to provide movement of said frontal clamp substantially parallel to the coronal plane of the patients body.

4. In a head lock for supporting the human head during surgery thereon while the patient is supported on a chair or table having a back rest, the combination of: a support having means for attaching it to a back rest; an occipital clamp connected to said support, said clamp being curved to fit the occipital region of the head; a curved frontal clamp for engagement with the frontal area of the head; and means for adjustably supporting said frontal clamp so that it may be moved toward and away from the longitudinal axis of the neck and head and up and down along said axis, said last named means comprising an extensible member extending across the body of the patient from rear to front, said extensible member having means for locking a section thereof in difierent positions of extension, and means connecting said frontal clamp to the forward end of said extensible member, having a supporting part extending from the forward end of said extensible member across the face of the patient and adjustment means to provide movement of said frontal clamp substantially parallel to the coronal plane of the patients body.

5. In a head lock for supporting the human head during surgery thereon while the patient is supported on a chair or table having a back rest, the combination of a support having means for attaching it to a back rest; an occipital clamp connected to said support, said clamp being curved to fit the occipital region of the head; a curved frontal clamp for engagement with the frontal area of the head; means for adjustably supporting said frontal clamp so that it may be moved toward and away from longitudinal axis of the head and neck and up and down along said axis, said last named means comprising an extensible member extending across the body of the patient from rear to front, said extensible member having means for looking a section there of indifferent positions of extension, andmeans connecting said frontal clamp to theforwardend of said extensible member; having a supporting partsextendin' from (the, mrwardend. of said extensible rhemberacross the face of. the. patient and being adjustable so-asito' provide movement of said 'frontalclamp substantially. parallel tothe corona1..p1ane .gof. the patients body; and ad: justable. means, for. engagingsthefl. sid'ehlof. the patients head.

6. In a headlock for. supporting the, human head during surgery .thereonwhile the patient isjsupported'ona chair or .table having a back rest, thencombinationbf; a, support; haizingmeans for attaching it to aback rest; an .occipitallclamp curved to, fit the. occipital .Iregion. .of the. head; meansfor adjustablysecuring said.clamp.to said support so .thatlit, may bemoved along thellongitudinal axiscfthe'head and neck .of a patient; acurved frontal clamp forsengagement with the frontal area of the head m'eanssfor. adjustably supporting said .frontal clamp so that it. may. be moved toward and awayfromsaid axis and. .up and down along said axis, said last named means comprising .anlfeictiahsible member extending across the body of the patient fromrear to front, said extensible" membefhaving' means for lockiee a eat there n-tqifi e o ti n extension and having at its forwar'd'end asupporting lem nt a d. amemc adiu r cured to saids'up'p'o'rtfr-ig element and being connected to said frontal clamp whereby said frontal c amp mayb mev d. 1 Fre .QP R and at 5 .99 a iust blvc n cte t ei e te em was r 'f r treat n th side of l tien I ahe dl s f see rtie hum head i s es. er rrlfihere af.Wh Pati i me awhee et 'eh eamc rest; of the character described, :the combination ofz' am ed ass st "contacted toah fc rest, Isaid isupport having guides xtending substantially parallel tothe plane of said back rest; a frame; means connecting said frame to said guides so that said frame maybe moved through different positions in a plane substantially parallel to the coronal plane of the head, said frame having supporting members extending along lines which pass over and across the shoulders of the patient; extensible means carried by said supporting members of said frame and means to lock said extensible means in different positions of extension relatively to said frame; an inverted U-shaped frame having legs disposed substantially parallel to the coronal plane of the patient and adj ustably connected to the front ends of said extensible means; a frontal clamp connected to the upper part of said U-shaped frame; an occipital clamp; and releasable means connecting said occipital clamp to said frame so that said occipital clamp may be moved through different positions of adjustment with respect to said frame.

8. In a head lock for supporting the human head during surgery thereon while the patient is supported on a chair or table having a back rest of the character described, the combination of: a support adapted to be connected to a back rest, said support having guides extending substantially parallel to the plane of said back rest; a frame; means connecting said frame to said guides so that said frame may be moved through different positions in a plane substantially parallel to the coronal plane of the head, said frame having supporting members extending along lines which pass over. and across the shoulderszof the patient; extensible means carried :bycsaid (supporting memberslof said frameandmeansto lock said extensiblea means in, different positions, .of extensiondrelatively tosaidframe; .an inverted .U sha ed framehavin legs disposed substane tially parallel! to the coronal, plane of; the patient and. adjustablywconnected to-,the ifront endsi of sa-idlextensible means; a frontalaclamp, connected to .the upperv part. of said Lt-eshaped ,frame an occipital clamp; .--..means for. a connecting said occipital clamp to said. frame-so thatsaidoccipital clampn'iay be moved through, dilferentflpositions of adjustmentWithrespect tosaid frame; andian adjustingmeans operative betweensaid connectingpmeans andlsaidloccipital clamp for rotating said occipital dclampuon asubstantially, horizontal axis.

, 9;,In. a head. -lockfor supporting the human head during. surgery thereon while the patient isv supported on a .chaireor table having aback restof .the. character.- described, the combination of: asupport adaptedto be aconnectedtol a. back rest, .said support. having a pair of tubes. extending substantially parallel to the planeof'said back rest :7 a framev adj ustably connected to said tubes so. as toi be moved through; di fferent..,positions= in a plane substantiallysparallel to thecoronalplane of the head, said framemaving. a. ,pair .of; bars extending into-saidtubes, and having, a pairlof tubes forming slidesv extending,- along lines which pass over and acrossithe shoulders, of the patient; extension bar means i carried, bysaid slides of said frame andmeans tolocl; said barimembers different. positions of extension relatively-,;to said frame,. said ,barl-meansnhaving transverse tubes at the fr.ont..ends thereof; an inverted ;U shaped frame havinglegs. disposed/in said transverse J tubes and substantially parallel to the coronal planeof. the. patient and adjustably cone nected to the .frontjends .ofesaidbar members p a frontal clampsconnectedi to the upper \parts of said UN-shaped frame; and anoccipitalclampconnected to said frame for engaging the occipital region of the head.

10. In a head lock for supporting the human head during surgery thereon while the patient is supported on a chair or table having a back rest of the character described, the combination of a support adapted towbe connected to a back rest, said support having a pair of tubes extending substantially parallel to the plane of said back rest; a, frame adjustably connected to said tubes so as to be moved through different positions in a plane substantially parallel to the coronal plane of the head, said frame having a pair of bars extending into said tubes and havin a pair of tubes forming slides extending along lines which pass over and across the shoulders of the patient; extensible means carried by said slides of said frame and means to lock said extensible means in different positions of extension relatively to said frame, said extensible means having transverse tubes at the front ends thereof; an inverted U-shaped frame having legs disposed in said transverse tubes and substantially parallel to the coronal plane of the patient and adjustably connected to the front ends of said extensible means; a frontal clamp connected to the upper part of said U-shaped frame for engagement with the frontal region; an occipital clamp connected to said frame for engagement with the occipital region; and a temporal rest adapted to be attached to one of said horizontal tubes of said frame, said rest having an extensible i post and a head-engaging pad connected to the upper portion thereof.

11; In a head lock for supporting the human head during surgery thereon while the patient is supported on a chair or table havin a back rest, the combination'of a support having means for attaching it to a back rest; an occipital clamp to engage the cervical region of the head; means for adjustably securing said clamp to said support so that it may be moved along the longitudinal axis of the head and neck of a patient; a frontal clamp for engagement with the frontal area of the head; and means for adjustably supporting said frontal clamp so that it may be moved toward and away from said axis and up and down along said axis, said last named means comprising an extension member extending from said support across the body of the patient from rear to front, said extension member having a section thereof adjustable forwardly and rearwardly with respect to said occipital clamp, and a supporting member extending transversely to said extension member from said section to said frontal clamp and connecting said frontal clamp to said section.

12. In a surgical head lock, the combination of: a support; an occipital clamp connected to said support, to engage the occipital region of the head; a frontal clamp to engage the central frontal region of the head above the eyes; and means for connecting said frontal clamp to said support, said means comprising adjustably related parts whereby said parts may be relatively moved and whereby said frontal clamp may be moved in several planes with relation to said occipital clamp and to thereby be brought into selected engagement with the frontal area of a head which engages said occipital clamp.

13. In a surgical head lock, the combination of a support; an occipital clamp connected to said support, to engage the occipital region of the head; a frontal .clamp to engage the central frontal region of the head; means for adjustably connecting said frontal clamp to said support, whereby said frontal clamp may be moved in several planes with relation to said occipital clamp and to thereby be brought into selected engage ment with the frontal area of a head which engages said occipital clamp; a side clamp for engaging the sideof the head; and means for conmeeting said side clamp to said support in a number of different positions of engagement with the surface of the side of the head independently of the position of said frontal clamp.

14. A side rest for connection to the side extension bar of a head lock of the character described, comprising: a yoke member having a pair of downwardly extending walls to fit over the side bar of the head lock in different positions therealong; screw means carried by said yoke for locking the yoke to said side bar; an extensible arm extending from said yoke so as to lie along the side of a head; means for locking said extensible arm in different positions of extension; and a pad connected to the outer end ,of said extensible arm for engagement with the sideof the head.

, SAMUEL R. JONES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 245,639 Lay Aug, 16, 1881 289,743 Young Dec. 4, 1883 321,809 Gould et a1. July 7, 1885 402,095 Moharter Apr. 23, 1889 527,056 Gilson Oct, 9, 1894 571,209 Adams Nov. 10, 1896 1,039,414 Koken Sept. 24, 1912 1,721,221 Jauregui July 16, 1929 2,090,865 Hanson Aug. 24, 1937 2,172,797 Lewaller Sept. 12, 1939 

